The Memorial Wall

Joel Belz, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in America and founder of the prominent Evangelical news organization World News Group, has died at the age of 82, following complications from Parkinson’s disease.

In a press release issued Sunday, World announced that Belz had passed away, leaving behind his wife of 49 years, Carol Esther, as well as five daughters, 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

John Weiss, chairman of the WNG board, was quoted in the press release as describing Belz as a “leader, a publisher, a visionary, a faithful servant of his Lord and a friend and mentor to all of us.”

“His ever-ready words of encouragement to all will be sorely missed. But we know the One in whom Joel placed his faith has now called him home to his glorious reward. For Joel the battle is over and the victory won,” stated Weiss.

Belz was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 1941, the second of eight children. He went on to graduate from Cono Christian School, Covenant College and the University of Iowa.

In 1977, Belz moved to Asheville, North Carolina, and began working for the theologically conservative news publication The Presbyterian Journal, eventually becoming interim editor.

During the 1980s, while still with the Journal, Belz founded a middle school news publication called It’s God’s World, later called God’s World News, which would be praised by prison ministry leader Chuck Colson for its influence on a rising generation of Christians.

“Almost 28 years since its founding, the staff is beginning to see a generation of young adults who've been raised on God's World News. One young lady, currently a student at the University of Virginia, wrote them to say, ‘I'd always enjoyed [the publication], but now I realize that you were teaching me to think like a Christian,’” wrote Colson in 2009.

“It thrills me to hear that because my greatest worry at this point is the lack of worldview training for youngsters. When they go off to college or enter the workplace, the studies show that most of them lose their faith. So I've got a great idea for you for a Christmas gift for your children or grandchildren — give them a subscription to God's World News.”

As the student newspaper expanded its interest, Belz was reportedly encouraged to found an adult version. As a result, in March 1986, Belz launched World magazine.

Belz was active in the PCA, regularly attending annual meetings of the denomination, and serving as moderator for the Presbyterian body when it held its General Assembly in 2003.

In 2005, after stepping down as chief executive officer of World, Belz continued in other capacities, such as the writing of approximately 1,000 columns, including a 2010 piece that was recently republished titled “When politics is cover for coveting.”

“We sit and stew all day and wish we were as rich as our neighbor—and at the end of the day, even if the tax law gets changed so that rich people have to pay 40 percent of their income instead of just 30 percent, the coveters end up with virtually none of that difference,” Belz wrote.

“We’ve gotten to the point that it doesn’t matter much anymore how we change things. All the taxpayers together haven’t got enough money now to change the fact that we’ve spent ourselves into oblivion. There’s not a whole lot left to covet.”   

On February 2, 2024, Robert "Bob" Jeffrey Carr – the longtime owner of Tops for Shoes who played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Downtown Asheville in North Carolina – passed away from Parkinson's disease in Asheville. He was 78 and surrounded by his family.

Under Bob's leadership, Tops for Shoes became a Downtown Asheville anchor institution that attracts customers from throughout the Southeastern United States and is known for its wide selection, full-service and exceptional staff with decades-long tenures.

As a past chair of the Asheville Downtown Commission, Asheville Merchants Association and Bele Chere festival, he helped to orchestrate the transformation of Downtown Asheville during the 1980s and '90s from a ghost town into a thriving business district and tourist destination.

Bob was born in Albany, New York on March 7, 1945, to the late Theodore and Eleanor Carr and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was also preceded in death by his sister Joanne.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force for four years, he graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, which he attended on a full academic scholarship and graduated from first in his program.

Bob started his career as a television announcer for the CBS affiliate in Atlanta, Georgia where he met and married Ellen, whose parents – Louis and Sylvia Resnikoff – founded what became Tops for Shoes in 1953. When Louis' health started to decline in the 1970s, he called on Bob and Ellen to move from Atlanta to help run the business.

Bob and Ellen expanded Tops for Shoes in the early 1980s from 3,000 to more than 30,000 square feet, at a time when other stores located downtown were either closing or flocking to the Asheville Mall. Tops for Shoes is now run by their son Alex.

Bob also served on the board of directors of Mission Hospital and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, among others, as well as a president of Beth Israel Synagogue and member of the Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards.

He was deeply loved by and most proud of his family. He is survived by his wife Ellen of 50 years; children Teddy, Dana and her husband Jan, and Alex and his wife Lauren; grandchildren Zoe, Jack, and Allison; brother Lloyd and his wife Irene; and nephews Edward and Charles.

Former Jets tight end Richard Caster died Friday after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease, J.T. Keith of the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reports. Caster was 75.

The Jets made Caster a second-round pick in 1970 out of Jackson State.

He helped revolutionize the tight end position at 6 foot 5 and 228 pounds and with 4.5 speed in the 40. He earned three Pro Bowls in eight seasons with the Jets and went on to play for Houston (1978-80), New Orleans (1981) and Washington (1981-82).

Caster made 245 receptions for 4,434 yards and 36 touchdowns in his time with the Jets, and he finished his career with 322 receptions for 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns, averaging 17.1 yards per catch.

He appeared in 161 games with 119 starts.

Rich Caster, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Jets after the team drafted him in the second round in 1970, died Friday, according to the Clarion Ledger.

Caster was 75 and had been battling Parkinson’s disease.

The tight end/wide receiver was named to three Pro Bowls — all with the Jets — in 1972, 1974 and 1975.

Caster played in college at Jackson State University and his former college teammate, James Hartfield, confirmed Caster’s death to the Clarion Ledger, telling the paper, “I am really sad to hear about his passing. He was a great person and [a] great wide receiver.”

Caster spent 1970-77 with the Jets and is 10th in franchise history with 4,434 yards.

He’s also seventh in team history with 36 touchdown receptions.

The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Caster went on to play three seasons with the Houston Oilers and split his final two NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Washington Redskins.

He ended with 322 receptions, 5,515 yards and 45 touchdowns.

Larry Reynolds put his stamp on the UC Riverside men’s basketball program before building the Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team into a NCAA Division II national contender.

“His impact was so subtly good that people didn’t realize it,” said Reynolds’ former UCR teammate Tony Masi. “He was just a regular guy who loved basketball and people and his impact was like a heartbeat – you don’t realize it’s working, but you absolutely need it and couldn’t work without it.”

Reynolds, the former UC Riverside player and assistant coach and a four-time California Collegiate Athletic Association coach of the year at Cal State San Bernardino, died Saturday, Jan. 27, after a long battle with Multiple System Atrophy, an aggressive form of Parkinson’s disease. He was 71.

“What a winner and a champion in all ways – as a coach and as the most respected, professional, genuine, kind and loyal man I have ever known,” former CSUSB athletic director Nancy Simpson said. “Larry was truly larger than life and will be missed tremendously.”

Reynolds guided the Coyotes to a national No. 1 ranking and the Elite Eight in 1999 and provided “the opportunity of a lifetime” for long-time assistant coach and eventual successor Jeff Oliver.

“Me and my family owe everything to him,” said Oliver, who was hired as Reynolds’ replacement before coaching the Yotes for 16 years. “I was there in ’99 when we kind of broke everything open and put San Bernardino on the map, and they haven’t looked back since.”

“During his time at CSUSB, he consistently inspired me to be a better coach,” CSUSB women’s volleyball coach Kim Cherniss said. “His presence was simply undeniable.”

A native of Los Angeles, Reynolds was the CCAA’s player of the year in 1975 at UC Riverside and was an assistant coach alongside John Masi for 16 seasons.

“He did it all really, extremely well,” said Masi, who played alongside Reynolds at UC Riverside. “He was an amazing athlete. Smooth and quick and could shoot the ball and it was an absolute pleasure to play with him.”

As a player, Reynolds was the catalyst as the Highlanders won two West Regional championships. As an assistant coach starting in 1976, Reynolds was a trusted lieutenant as UCR won seven CCAA titles, received 10 NCAA Division II tournament bids, advanced to the Elite 8 three times and played for the NCAA Division II championship in 1995.

“His connection with my brother, John, was tremendous and he was that guy,” Tony Masi said. “He got along with everybody and was a personable, friendly and enjoyable guy to be around. “

After San Bernardino, Reynolds spent five seasons at Long Beach State and coached Stanislaus State to its first and only NCAA Division II tournament berth in 2013. He was inducted into the CSUSB Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.

“He set the standard for Coyote basketball winning championships, making NCAA tournament runs and elevating the program on a national level,” current CSUSB basketball coach Gus Argenal said. “Coach Reynolds had a lasting impact on his players and has mentored so many in the coaching profession, including myself.”

Reynolds’ all-time winning percentage (.759) at CSUSB remains the best of any coach in the school’s history.

Philip A. Forbes, a highly decorated Marine veteran, died on January 23, 2024, at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Charlotte Hall, Maryland. He was 86 years old. He died of Parkinsons Disease.

Philip was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on February 6, 1937. He was a Southern Gentleman to his core. He was the only child born to Philip Bosman Forbes (1892 -1977) and Lillian Goff Forbes (1902 -1991).

Philip attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia for four years (1951-1955). He attended Virginia Military Institute for one year and then returned to his beloved Louisiana to attend Louisiana State University. He graduated from LSU in 1960. While there he ran track, played baseball and was in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He served as the Cadet Colonel of the ROTC. He was in the fraternity Phi Cappa Theta for four years where he served as Vice President.

In 1960 he joined the United States Marine Corps, attending Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Virginia. He served as an Infantry Officer throughout his time in the Marine Corps and he loved every day of it. Philip was in Force Recon having received training in Guerilla Warfare Intelligence (1966), Amphibious Warfare (1969), 5th Force Recon Co Jumpmaster Training (1969) and SCUBA @er Training (1970) among other training. He held badges for parachuting (198 jumps) and underwater demolition. He served two tours in Vietnam and worked as an advisor for the Vietnamese Marines. He talked happily of eating rice balls with the men he trained. Philip was in combat often and held eight Personal Awards for Valor. He earned two Purple Hearts. He is the most highly decorated Marine from Louisiana from the Vietnam War. Philip served on the United States Marine Corps Competitive Rifle Team. Philip retired from the Marine Corps In 1984, however, he remained a consummate and passionate Marine. While working for the Veterans Administration post-retirement his office voicemail was “Perimeter is secure, troops are fed and morale is very high. Semper Fi, Philip Forbes.” People would call just to hear the message.

Philip’s interests were eclectic. He loved reading Hemingway and in 2000 he and a number of his friends were in Pamplona, Spain for a week where he ran with the bulls. He was close enough to touch them and one horn did “poke” his arm, for him a badge of honor. He was a lifetime fan of the New York Yankees and one spring in 1995 he attended Yankee Fantasy Camp in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he was able to play baseball with Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Hank Bower, Yogi Berra and so many other wonderful players. He loved old movies and collected films. He could tell you the names of the stars and directors of all the old classics.

Philip loved the music of the great composers; Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Bobby Short, Hank Williams. He knew so many of the lyrics and could belt out the tunes while doing a little soft shoe.

The books on his shelves were divided into sections. Some were biographies of the stars — Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, Fred Astaire, and John Ford. Most were history with an emphasis on the Civil War and military history.

Philip had a quick wit, a twinkle in his eye and loved a good party. He often wore his Forbes kilt and opened the champagne bottles with a swipe of his Marine Corps sword.

He married Deanna Bergeron in 1959. They divorced in 1981. He married Nan M. Joseph in 1983. They were married for forty years.

His survivors are his wife, Nan M. Joseph Forbes, his children, Philip Forbes, Jr., Michelle Paddock, Nan M. Forbes and Robert R. Forbes, his grandchildren, Jack Henry Paddock, Andrew Forbes, Charles Paddock and Matthew Forbes; great-grandchildren Emet Paddock and Levi Paddock; and his former wife, Deanna Bergeron.

The family gives thanks to all the staff at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, especially Haley Mozie, Shannon Kauffman and Stacy Cheek.

He was truly a unique individual from a time long past. His generosity, his thoughtfulness and his spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dr. Jerry F. Toller died on January 22, 2024, from complications associated with Parkinson's disease. He was 91 years old.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Dolores; his sister, Rosemary Cagnina; his two sons, Wesley and Wade; and his three loving grandchildren, Bristol, Samanta, and Neil. Sadly, Jerry was predeceased by his daughter, Amy who died of cancer in 2015.

Jerry's journey began in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1932. He was born to Rosa Maria and Heinrich Toller. Jerry had a simple midwestern upbringing and he grew into a boy who was kind, humble, studious, hard-working, and quietly self-confident. He stayed true to his roots as he moved through life.

As a young man, Jerry worked in his uncle's pharmacy where he developed an interest in medicine as a way of helping others. While earning his pharmacy degree from Creighton University, Jerry met Dolores who he married soon afterwards.

After serving in the Army, Jerry continued his work as a pharmacist but realized that he wanted to do more. He then pursued a degree in medicine at the University of Iowa.

In 1965, Jerry moved his family westward, ultimately settling in Yuba City, CA, where he would begin his practice of family medicine. In those early days, family physicians would make actual house calls. Jerry always answered the call, jumping into his old blue Buick with medical bag and stethoscope in hand. He loved working with patients. All told, he spent more than four decades ensuring every one of his patients received the best treatment possible.

After retirement, Jerry found time to explore the world with family and friends. He enjoyed cruises with Dolores to far-off destinations, fishing trips to Alaska with his boys, and relaxing getaways to Maui or Lake Tahoe. He especially enjoyed spending time with his circle of close friends, and he will be fondly remembered for his Shenanigans at Thursday night poker. Jerry also had a passion for gardening, and he grew some of the best tomatoes you will ever taste.

When Jerry's journey ended, he was where he wanted to be - in his home with family and friends. Jerry was a loving husband, brother, father, grandfather, and friend to many. He will be missed.

Dorothy S. White of Springfield, VA passed away at the age of 74 on Saturday, January 22, 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Dorothy was born on March 11, 1947 in Poplar Branch, NC to Ernest M. and Dorothy (Upton) Snow.

Dorothy loved to dance and cook. She was active in her church and community. She loved helping people, making people smile, playing cards with friends and loved to laugh.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, Ernest, her mother Dot, her sister Sue Markham and her husband Bill White. She is survived by her son Herb (Natasha) Oden of Harkers Island, NC, her daughter, Lisa (Tracy) Oden of Burke, VA, her granddaughter, Savannah, her brothers Ray (Francis) Snow of Brunswick, GA and Bobby (Laurie) Snow of Elizabeth City, NC, nieces and a nephew.

Marianne Dunn Wofford died on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, after a brave battle with Parkinson's disease.

A loving Granny to Beck and Keane, a steadfast friend and a businesswoman of integrity, she loved to cook and entertain. Her homes reflected her unique taste and love of colorful, lively artwork. Likewise, her gardens were full of texture and color, providing visitors relaxing warm surroundings in which to commune.

Marianne was born in Searcy, Ark., on Dec. 19, 1949, the sixth of seven children. She attended college at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. After marrying, she relocated to San Antonio, where she lived for 14 years and served as a bank officer at Alamo National Bank. In 1984, she moved to Kerrville, Texas, and received her bachelor's degree in business at Schreiner College. While studying there, she also worked as an alumni liaison for the Hill Country College Fund.

She spent the next 22 years as an investment advisor with A.G. Edwards and Morgan Stanley before opening her own Ameriprise Financial office (Collum, Wofford and Associates) with Dawn Collum in 2012. She took great pleasure and care in helping her clients plan their financial futures.

Marianne believed in serving her community and did so on numerous boards and committees, most significant of which was fundraising for the Dietert Center and co-chairing the Hill Country College Fund. She was also the first woman president of the Rotary Club of Kerrville, and served as an elder at First Presbyterian Church.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2014, Marianne, as was typical, found a way to turn a negative into a positive by helping others. With help from a few close friends and support from Peterson Regional Medical Center, she set about creating a Parkinson's support group. Its monthly attendance quickly grew and continues to provide information and support to patients and caregivers. While servicing on the support group board, she helped bring to Kerrville the beneficial Parkinson's therapy programs Big and Loud and Rock Steady Boxing. She received an award for this work from the San Antonio Parkinson's Association.

Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, O.L. Dunn and Blyss Gentry Dunn; as well as brothers, Gentry Owen Dunn, Danny Lane Dunn and Michael Duane Dunn; and sisters, Carolyn Blyss Dunn Householder, Pamela Jean Dunn Griffin and Rita Dunn Sultan. As adults, she and her sisters took "Sisters' Trips" and had so much fun that their brothers decided they would travel along as well.

She is survived by her son, Bryan David Wofford, his wife, Erin Mosty Wofford, and her beloved grandsons, Beck Scott Wofford and Keane Emmet Wofford, all of Center Point, Texas. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, all who brought great joy to her life. She was affectionately known as "Granny" to many great-nieces and -nephews.

Marianne unfailingly touched lives with her kind spirit and is leaving many loved ones and friends to honor her life.

James G. Rutter Jr., 75, of Brunswick, died Jan. 19, 2024, from Parkinson’s Disease.

He was born on Nov. 27, 1947, in Sewickley, Pa. to James Rutter and Julia Sovak. Jim graduated from Foxboro High School, Foxboro, Mass., before joining the United States Army, serving in Germany and Vietnam from 1965 to 1969, attaining the rank of Specialist 5. He received a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. Jim earned a BA from the University of Boston in 1978, majoring in English. Jim worked for the Social Security Administration.

Jim was an active sportsman. He hiked the Appalachian Trail, ran in the Boston, Baltimore, and New York City Marathons, and completed the Mt Washington, NH Run. Jim was also an avid bicyclist, cross-country skier, ice skater, photographer, and author.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Constance Willis Rutter, brother David Rutter and a large extended family.